Board of Directors
Dr. Kristopher Merceron, President/Chair
Dr. Kristopher K. Merceron currently works as a Tenured Professor and Department Chair for Speech/Communications at Valencia College, as well as the Department Chair for the New Student Experience. He previously taught at the University of Tampa and Hillsborough Community College (HCC). He maintains instructional experience within corporate and higher education. Dr. Merceron holds a bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences, a master’s degree in Corporate and Organizational Communications specializing in Leadership, and a Ph.D. in Educational Studies specializing in Adult Learning and Development. His dissertation focused on leadership opportunities for Black male college students in predominantly White social fraternities. Additionally, Dr. Merceron is the co-author of Managing Nervousness as a Public Speaker, and he has a passion for teaching public speaking and communications, particularly discussing nervousness and anxiety. Lastly, Dr. Merceron enjoys spending his down time with family and friends, as well as singing recreationally with close friends.
Dr. Roddy Bernard, Board Member
Dr. Roddy J. Bernard currently is an Internal Medicine resident at UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida. Throughout his academic career, Dr. Bernard has been passionate about working with under-served populations. He has shown dedication to service by participating in numerous volunteering opportunities, such as Building a Habitat, “Quit Smoking Now”, several local health fairs, and the Crisis Text Line. He has also been highly involved in leadership by becoming part of the executive board of several medical student organizations throughout his time at the Florida State University College of Medicine. Additionally, Dr. Bernard values maintaining both his physical and mental health by partaking in activities outside of his medical field such as attending the gym on a regular basis and eating a well-balanced diet. Moreover, he enjoys photography, writing, and playing guitar.
Elizabeth Merceron, Board Member
Elizabeth Merceron currently works in product management as a Product Owner in the government sector. Ms. Merceron has experience working as a Business Analyst and Product Owner in digital product development for clients such as LexisNexis and Universal Orlando. Ms. Merceron holds a bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences and a master’s degree in Health Care Informatics. She has participated in conferences for healthcare technology and game jams that promoted game design and development in healthcare. Additionally, Ms. Merceron is a fan of the English Premier League and enjoys Pilates workouts. She is a believer in eating a well-balanced diet and working out on a daily basis.
Zachary Hunt, Board Member
Zachary Hunt is currently a Juris Doctor candidate at Cornell Law School in Ithaca, New York. He holds a master’s degree in Finance from the University of South Florida and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, with a summa cum laude designation, from the University of Florida. Born and raised in West Virginia, Mr. Hunt has lived in Tampa Bay since 2011 and worked in the construction industry before attending law school. He has also served as a federal judicial intern to the Hon. Charlene Edwards Honeywell at the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. His first publication, a law review article about arbitration agreements in employment, consumer, and franchise agreements, was published in the William & Mary Business Law Review in February 2022. Mr. Hunt is an avid fan of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and named his German Shepherd after quarterback Tom Brady.
The Justine Merceron Foundation 